Opinion

Stereotypes run deep. Let’s change them

Changing the perception that engineering is a job for the boys will take time, team effort and sustained commitment...

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
Opinion

How unsustainable workloads are destroying the quality of teaching

Many teachers blame poor mental health on the stress on increasing workloads. The approaching general election makes it a...

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
Opinion

Stop the proliferation of small sixth-form providers

Encouraging small school and academy sixth forms to open has exacerbated non-progression between years 12 and 13 Last week’s...

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
Opinion

Location, location, location: it really does make a difference

Becoming an academy can help to raise school performance, but it’s more difficult if you’re on the coast Location...

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
Opinion

We make it simple: how the government’s new 16-19 league tables are calculated

The 16-19 accountability measures are changing. As the government releases its (very dense) guide setting out how the new...

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
Opinion

More a quiet gathering than a party…

It was steady as it goes at the three main party conferences this year with education ministers signalling their...

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
Opinion

Reflecting on the 2014 party conference season

What can we learn about the future of education from the party conference season? Little of substance I’m afraid....

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips
Opinion

Three days of stalking David Laws: Lib Dem Conference round-up

In politics there’s a thin line between ‘boring’ and ‘professional’. Over the four days of Liberal Democrat conference in...

Laura McInerney
Laura McInerney
Opinion

How can we encourage more teachers to step up to become headteachers?

Rising workloads, stress levels and the pressures of greater accountability are deterring aspiring leaders from applying for headship posts...

Nicky Phillips
Nicky Phillips